This is where young creative students from all over the world come to thrive. Few schools offer such artistic freedom combined with such professional, sensitive guidance. Among London talent agents, Hurtwood is often whispered about as a true breeding ground for future stars.
Tucked away in the Surrey Hills, surrounded by glorious countryside, Hurtwood House welcomes aspiring actors, artists and musicians with open arms. Its most famous alumnus? None other than Hans Zimmer, the Oscar-winning film composer, and Emily Blunt, the film star.
Set on a 20-hectare campus, this sixth form college is a haven for young people with creative ambition. We can’t think of another British boarding school with stronger departments in theatre, music and the arts—each kitted out with cutting-edge equipment and all the tools an artist could dream of. There’s even a fully-fledged film academy. Despite its professional feel, Hurtwood remains intimate and personal thanks to its small student body.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age of students: 15–19
Number of students: 340
Boarding students: 80%
International students: 30%
Average class size in Sixth Form: 8–12
Boarding fees per term (Sixth Form): £22,405.20
Key sports offered in addition to traditional team sports: Horse riding, Golf, Mountain biking, Squash, Swimming, Tennis
Nearest airports: London Gatwick (35 min)
Key Strengths at a Glance
Strong creative program, especially in drama
Small, family-like school
Close to London
Film Academy
Hurtwood House – Photo Highlights
Hurtwood House in Detail
Music, Art, Theatre and Dance
This is where actors and dancers find rehearsal studios and a wealth of performance opportunities; where musicians step into professional-grade recording studios; and where filmmakers and producers can work alongside top-tier talent. Hurtwood boasts the largest and most advanced theatre department of any school in the UK. Students here work with some of the very best in the business. Whether you’re an aspiring director, a rock guitarist or a musical theatre fanatic, you’ll find mentors who speak your language. Pupils can learn any instrument they like—and even try their hand at songwriting. Every two years, students in the Music Technology course collaborate with industry professionals to produce a school album of outstanding quality.
Beyond the Classroom
But there’s more. Hurtwood’s innovative “Enigma Programme” offers enriching sessions every Tuesday and Thursday, allowing students to gain real-world experience in one or two fields of their choice. Think beyond the usual: alongside book clubs and languages, there’s yoga, Pilates, self-defence, cookery, wine tasting and even jewellery-making. These are life skills, and we love how practical the offering is. Students also enjoy cultural trips to galleries, museums and the theatre, as well as excursions across Europe.
Academic Life
Hurtwood isn’t just about the arts. Academic standards here are high. Pupils must apply a year in advance and submit a portfolio of their work. If accepted, they can choose from a broad range of A-level subjects including Media Studies, Photography, Music Technology, Sociology, Business and many more. Contrary to popular belief, not every graduate heads for a creative career—future medics, scientists and lawyers are just as welcome. The school’s academic record is impressive: in 2021, 87.5% of A-level grades were A*–B.
Sport
Sports are an optional but popular part of life here. Students can choose from a wide array of afternoon activities, including football, rugby, hockey and basketball, as well as fitness, climbing, mountain biking, golf, horse riding, polo and swimming. Whether you’re taking part or cheering from the sidelines, there’s a great sense of camaraderie and balance between work and wellbeing.
This is Hurtwood House
Our Visit
Just an hour from London, Hurtwood made a deep impression on us from the moment we arrived. This isn’t your traditional British boarding school—no uniforms, no stiff formalities. Instead, there’s a tangible sense of creative freedom. We were warmly welcomed and immediately caught up in the school’s unique spirit.
What struck us most was the energy on campus—you can feel that students are being empowered to follow their own paths. The artistic provision is simply outstanding: film, theatre, dance, music, media—all delivered at an exceptionally high standard. The Media A-level isn’t just the most popular subject at Hurtwood—it’s among the best courses of its kind anywhere in the world. And the dance department? Up to 70 hours of dance per week! The entire campus bursts with student art, from the studios to the corridors to the stage.
But it’s not just about the arts. Academically, students choose from 21 A-level subjects and benefit from small classes, passionate teachers and close personal support.
Hurtwood House Fees
Hurtwood House charges £22,405.20 per term, or £67,215.60 per academic year.
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In Summary – Hurtwood House
Hurtwood House is one of the UK’s most prestigious sixth form boarding schools and a true magnet for creative talent—especially known for its exceptional theatre programme. That said, it’s not the only school that could suit your child. We’d love to help you find the perfect match for your family.
Get in touch with us for personalised advice. With many years of experience and close partnerships with the UK’s leading schools, we can offer expert guidance that takes your family’s unique goals into account. We’re confident that together, we’ll find the ideal boarding school for your child.
You’ll also find more schools listed on our UK Boarding Schools page.
Why choose us?
- Years of experience placing students in top UK schools
- Strong relationships with your favourite schools
- Full support with the visa process
- A fast, friendly point of contact every step of the way
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
